PASQUOTANK COUNTY, N.C. -- A fourth employee has died from injuries sustained in an attempted prison escape at a Pasquotank Correction Institution on Oct. 12.

Thirty-one-year-old Geoffrey Howe, who was a maintenance mechanic at the prison, passed away Thursday at a Norfolk hospital.

“Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to the Howe family,” said Department of Public Safety Secretary Erik A. Hooks. “This tragedy has horribly impacted the lives of four families, as well as co-workers and friends.”

Gov. Roy Cooper also realeased a statement regarding the incident:

“Geoffrey Howe was a valued member of his community and his workplace and he will be greatly missed. We send our heartfelt sympathies to his loved ones and wish for them comfort during this difficult time. We owe it to Geoffrey and his fallen coworkers to do all we can to keep an attack like the one that claimed their lives from ever happening inside our prisons again, and that’s what I’ve directed prison leaders to do."

Correctional officers Justin Smith and Wendy Shannon, as well as Correction Enterprises Sewing Plant Manager Veronica Darden, also died from injuries from the incident.

The prison, which currently houses approximately 676 male inmates, continues to be on lockdown.